Ayoub Bouaddi: Lille chief insists Arsenal and Man City target likely to stay despite €100m talk

Lille president Olivier Letang says Morocco’s teenage World Cup revelation Ayoub Bouaddi is more likely to remain at the French club next season than complete a blockbuster move to one of Europe’s giants, despite talk his value could reach €100m.

The 18-year-old midfielder’s market price has soared on the back of an outstanding 2026 World Cup, with leading Premier League sides Arsenal and Manchester City among the clubs credited with strong interest in his signature.

French sports daily L’Equipe reported that Bouaddi’s future has become one of the most closely watched stories of the post‐World Cup market, with several major European clubs said to be “convinced” by his talent and potential. The paper suggested that a valuation touching €100m could dramatically alter the dynamics of any negotiations.

However, Letang has moved to cool speculation, insisting that only a handful of clubs in world football could even contemplate such a deal – and that Lille are in no rush to sell.

‘Very few clubs’ can afford Bouaddi

Speaking to reporters, Letang made clear that Lille have not entered into transfer talks, despite the mounting attention around the Moroccan international.

He said: “لم اتحدث ابدا عن ارقام. لكن هناك عدد قليل جدا من الاندية، اليوم، قادرة على التعاقد مع لاعب بجودة ايوب، وهو لا يزال في الـ18 من عمره فقط”.

Translated, Letang stressed he has never publicly discussed figures, but emphasised that only a very small number of clubs in the current market have the financial power to recruit a player of Bouaddi’s quality at just 18 years of age.

Bouaddi, who shone in midfield during Morocco’s campaign and was widely tipped as one of the standout young performers of the tournament, has been repeatedly described in France as one of Ligue 1’s most valuable assets following his World Cup displays.

Contract to 2029 and ‘no need to rush’

The Lille president underlined that the club are protected by the player’s long-term contract and suggested that, from a sporting point of view, staying in northern France would best serve Bouaddi’s development at this stage of his career.

“التقينا بعد عودته من كاس العالم، وهو مرتبط معنا بعقد حتى عام 2029. لا استطيع ان اقول ما دار بيننا. كل شيء يبقى ممكنا، لكن رايي هو انه يجب ان يبقى موسما اضافيا معنا”، قال ليتانج.

He added that the club have so far refused to sit down with any of the suitors who could realistically afford a deal.

“قناعتي هي ان هناك فرصا كبيرة جدا لان يبقى معنا، وسيكون سعيدا جدا بذلك.. حتى الان، لم اجر اي مفاوضات، لانني رفضت الدخول في اي نقاش مع الاندية القادرة على دفع قيمة انتقاله، وما اقوله للجميع هو انه لا داعي للاستعجال”.

Letang stressed that Lille and the player are calm about the situation, describing Bouaddi as settled and content at the club, which he said reflected both the institution’s current strength and its ambitions.

Lille preparing for ‘all scenarios’

Despite reiterating his belief that Bouaddi will stay, Letang conceded that the club must be prepared for a possible late twist if an irresistible offer arrives.

“نحن هاديون جدا، وايوب ايضا هادي للغاية وسعيد هنا، وهذا يعكس مكانة النادي وقوته في الوقت الحالي. سنعيد تقييم الوضع بناء على ما سيحدث خلال الاسابيع المقبلة.. يجب ان نكون مستعدين لكل الاحتمالات، رغم انني اعتقد، مرة اخرى، ان فرص بقايه معنا كبيرة جدا. واذا غادر في النهاية، فعلينا ان نكون جاهزين، وان نستعد لذلك بالشكل المناسب”، اوضح رييس ليل.

Bouaddi’s emergence – capped by recognition as one of the best young players of the World Cup – has intensified competition among Europe’s elite for top teenage talent in central midfield.

While Arsenal and Manchester City continue to monitor his situation closely, Lille’s stance suggests that any club hoping to prise Bouaddi away this summer will not only need to meet a potentially huge asking price but also convince both player and club that a move now would be better for his development than another season in Ligue 1.